Clip handle for bag-in-box container

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein propose a bag-in-box container. The bag-in-box container includes a bag configured to contain a liquid. The bag also includes a rigid neck. A box encloses the bag with the neck protruding through the top of the box. The neck is secured in position through the opening in the box by a clip handle. The clip handle includes a handle portion configured to receive at least a fingertip of a hand.

BACKGROUND

Spray devices for the application of liquids onto human skin and hair are well known. Sprays are used for many types of medicines, skin treatments, hair treatments, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetic agents. Specialized automated spray systems are used in tanning salons and spa treatment centers to apply sunless tanning compounds and skin care formulas, such as moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, and exfoliants. The spray solution used for sunless tanning is generally a water-based mixture of DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and/or erythrulose and various other skin care ingredients such as aloe vera. Often a cosmetic bronzer is added along with pleasant scents and ingredients to enhance tanning performance, such as formulations to balance skin ph.

Applying artificial tanning products may be accomplished by using spraying booths for fluid containment used in conjunction with handheld sprayers, and closed booths equipped with automated spraying systems. These spraying systems may use compressed air nozzles along with sunless tanning composition fluids supplied to the nozzle to create atomized sprays to coat a target surface of the body.

Early booth models used refillable multiple tank systems with 2, 3 or 4 tanks. But problems with mixing and pouring solutions, as well as degradation of key ingredients when exposed to air, led to a more convenient bag-in-box system where multiple containers are received in a bay drawer of the unit.

Sunless tanning composition fluids, as well as fluids in countless other applications, are packaged in containers suitable for transportation of the fluids, for interaction with spraying or dispensing systems, and for economically efficient disposal. Conventionally, fluids have been packaged in rigid containers that provide satisfactory interaction with spraying or dispensing systems. However, these rigid containers are inefficient in terms of storage and disposal of empty containers because they retain their volume even after the fluids have been exhausted. Flexible containers such as bag-in-box containers as disclosed by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/412,880 by Thomason, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, provide more economically efficient containers in terms of storage and disposal. However, lifting, carrying, and installing these containers may be cumbersome.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein propose a bag-in-box container. The bag-in-box container includes a bag configured to contain a liquid. The bag also includes a rigid neck. A box encloses the bag with the neck protruding through the top of the box. The neck is secured in position through the opening in the box by a clip handle. The clip handle includes a handle portion configured to receive at least a fingertip of a hand.

The clip handle for the bag-in-box container may include a planar surface of the underside of the clip handle that is configured to contact an exterior surface of the box. The planar surface also defines a slot configured to receive the neck of a bag protruding through the box. The clip handle also includes a fingertip receiving portion. The clip handle may be formed from a suitable rigid polymer-based material using known polymer forming techniques.

Technical advantages of the bag-in-box container including the clip handle herein disclosed include a rigid handle by which the bag-in-box container may be lifted and carried. The clip handle may be a single unitary body or may comprise more than one component such as a handle component and a locking component. The rigid handle may distribute the forces to the rigid and sturdy part of the neck, as opposed to the weaker cardboard box. The clip handle may also structurally reinforce and prevent damage to the cardboard box.

Further technical advantages of the present disclosure include a clip handle that may allow a user to more accurately place the bag-in-box container in fluid communication with a spray tanning machine. When the bag-in-box container is inverted, the clip handle may allow the user to apply a force that is transferred directly to a flange of the neck portion of the bag. In this manner, the rigid component, that is the neck or a component connected to the neck and specifically configured to be received by the spray tanning machine, that is being received by the spray tanning machine can be more directly guided into the spray tanning machine using the clip handle herein disclosed.

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bag-in-box container with portions broken away and a clip handle disassembled from the container;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric detailed view of an underside of the clip handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the assembled bag-in-box container and clip handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a bag-in-box container with portions broken away and an alternate embodiment of a clip handle disassembled from the container;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a bag-in-box container with portions broken away and an alternate embodiment of a two-component clip handle disassembled from the container; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a bag-in-box container and an alternate embodiment of a two-component clip handle disassembled from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a bag-in-box container 10 and a clip handle 12 exploded from the bag-in-box container 10 in a disassembled position. The bag-in-box container 10 includes a box 14 that encloses a bag 15. The bag 15 is internal to the box 14 and may contain liquid solution. In some embodiments, the liquid solution may be a solution used in a spray tanning operation, such as a spray bronzer that coats the skin and causes the user to appear tan. The bag may include a collar 16 at a dispensing end of the bag. Extending from the collar 16 is a neck 18. When the bag is in a filling or a dispensing position inside the box 14, the neck 18 protrudes through a hole 19 in a wall 20 of the box 14. In this position, the neck 18 can be connected with a spray tanning machine or other device operable to extract the liquid from the bag. The collar 16 may have a perimeter that is larger than the perimeter of the hole 19 in the wall 20 such that the collar 16 contacts the inside of the box 12 around the opening. This contact between the collar and the inside of the box 12 opposes the forces tending to pull the collar 16 and the bag 15 through the hole 19. However, the hole 19 and neck 18 are sized to allow the neck 18 to be pushed into the box 12 when the clip handle 12 is removed. Thus, the bag 15 including the neck 18 may be stored entirely within the box 14, if desired.

The neck 18 includes one or more flanges 22. The flanges 22 may extend radially surrounding and be integral with the neck 18. Two flanges, one above and one below each other define a contact surface 24 of the neck 18 for receiving the clip handle 12. The contact surface 24 may be the generally cylindrical surface that forms the neck 18. As detailed below, the contact surface 24 together with the flanges 22 provide features to receive the clip handle 12 and secure the bag 15 in position within the box 14.

The collar 16 and the neck 18 may be formed from any suitable rigid material, such as a rigid polymer-based material. The collar 16 and neck 18 may be fabricated by known molding processes and may be secured to the thin plastic bag by processes that are known in the art.

The box 14 may be cardboard, wood, plastic or any other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the box 14 may be a cardboard cut-out, which can be folded in the shape of the box 14 shown in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the box 14 may include one or more ears 26. The ears 26 may define finger holes 28, which permit lifting of the bag-in-box container 10. However, the ears 26 and the finger holes 28 are subject to wear and failure, and thus the clip handle 12 is the preferred feature to grip the bag-in-box container 10. Therefore, in some embodiments, the ears 26 and finger holes 28 may be unnecessary.

FIG. 1 shows a top side of the clip handle 12. The clip handle 12 includes a neck receiving slot 30. The neck receiving slot 30 may include a neck-engaging surface 32. The neck-engaging surface 32 may be generally arcuate and semicircular and may correspond with the shape and size of the part of the generally cylindrical contact surface 24 of the neck 18 between the flanges 22. A pair of tabs 34 may delimit the neck-engaging surface 32. The tabs 34 may extend slightly into the neck-receiving slot 30 and may allow the neck-receiving slot 30 to, after displacing slightly, snap securely around the contact surface 24 of the neck 18. In this manner, the tabs 34 together with the neck-engaging surface 32 may securely hold the contact surface 24, and thus the neck 18 of the bag 15 in place with respect to the box 14. The clip handle 12 also includes a planar top surface 35. The planar top surface 35 contacts an underside of the upper flange 22 and serves to oppose forces tending to push the neck 18 into the box 14.

In order to efficiently receive the contact surface 24 between the two flanges 22, the neck-receiving slot 30 may also include a tapered surface 36. The tapered surface 36 may provide an increased width of the slot 30 such that the contact surface 24 of the neck 18 may be received and guided into contact with the neck-engaging surface 32. In certain embodiments, the tapered surface 36 may blend into a generally parallel surface 38. The generally parallel surface 34 may serve to reduce the width of the slot 30 created by the tapered surface 36, and thereby guide the neck 18 to securely fit and be received by the neck-engaging surface 32.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a detailed view of a bottom-side of the clip handle 12. The bottom side of the clip handle 12 may include a generally planar bottom surface 40. The generally planar bottom surface 40 may contact the outer surface of the wall 20 of the box 14 when the clip handle 12 is securing the neck 18 in place. The top surface of the flange 22 may be disposed below the wall 20 of the box 12, even with the wall 20, or above the wall 20. A portion of the planar bottom surface 40 proximate the slot 30 may contact the top surface of the lower flange 22 when the clip handle 12 secures the neck 18 in place.

The bottom side of the clip handle 12 may also include a cavity 42. The cavity 42 may include two generally parallel finger receptacles 44 and a hand-receiving opening 46 disposed along an edge of the clip handle 12. The cavity 42 and the hand-receiving opening 46 may be sized to receive the fingertips of four fingers of the user. For example, the index finger and the pinky finger can be inserted into and received by the two receptacles 44 while the middle finger and ring finger are inserted and received by the opening 46. Alternatively, all four fingers may be inserted into and received by the opening 46.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the clip handle 12 may be made by forming methods which are well-known in the polymer-forming art. For example, the clip handle 12 may be formed by injection molding or otherwise forming the polymer material using a tool having a cavity in the shape of a negative of the clip handle 12. The clip handle 12 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the clip handle 12 may be made of a polymer material such as ABS, which is rigid when formed. In other embodiments, the clip handle 12 may be made of metal or any other suitable material.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates the bag-in-box container 10 with the neck 18 secured in place by the clip handle 12. As illustrated, the hand-receiving opening 46 of the clip handle 12 provides an opening between the clip handle 12 and the exterior surface of the wall 20 of the box 14. In this manner, an individual transporting the bag-in-box container 10 can insert his or her fingertips into opening 46 (and deeper into receptacles 44) and lift and carry the bag-in-box container 10 by the clip handle 12. Thus, the weight of the bag-in-box container and its contents may be supported by the clip handle 12 and the rigid flange 22. This may provide substantially more support than handling the box by the finger holes 28. Moreover, a user can more conveniently handle the box through the hand-receiving opening 46 than he can through the finger holes 28. The clip handle 12, specifically the planar bottom surface 40, also serves to distribute at least some of a force tending to cause the neck 18 to fall back into the box 12 across a larger area of the wall 20. This may increase the rigidity of the bag-in-box container 10.

An additional function of the clip handle 12 is to allow the user to more efficiently and accurately place the neck 18 in connection with a device for receiving the contents of the bag-in-box container 10, such as a spray tanning machine. In installing the bag-in-box container 10 in the spraying machine, the user may invert the bag-in-box container 10 and position the neck 18 of the bag-in-box container 10 to be received by the spray tanning machine. In this position, the user may apply a force to the clip handle 12 which may then be transferred to the flange 22. By transferring the connection force from the clip handle 12 to the flange 22, the user can direct into the machine the specific rigid component of the bag-in-box 10 that is received by the spray tanning machine. This may allow easier and more accurate placement of the bag-in-box container 10 than the conventional method of inverting the container 10 and positioning the neck 18 using the box 12. However, if the user chooses to direct the container 10 in the spraying machine using the box 12, the clip handle 12, specifically the planar bottom surface 40, distributes the connection force across a larger area of the wall 20.

In certain embodiments, a valve 50 may be coupled to the neck 18. The valve 50 may be a spring-loaded, one-way valve that controls the flow of liquid from the bag-in-box container 10 to the spray tanning machine. For example, the spray tanning machine may be configured to bias the spring to open the valve in connection with proper placement of the bag-in-box container 10 in the spray tanning machine. When the bag-in-box container 10 is not coupled to the spray tanning machine, the valve 50 may be biased closed to prevent the liquid in the bag-in-box container 10 from escaping through the neck 18. In certain embodiments, the valve 50 may be a separate component from the neck 18 and may be received by an opening in the neck 18. In other embodiments, the valve 50 may be incorporated directly into the neck 18.

The bag-in-box container 10 may also include a level indicator slot 48. A user may view the level of the contents of the bag by viewing through the level indicator slot 48 of the bag-in-box container 10 as shown in FIG. 3. The clip handle 12 may be secured such that the opening is on either side of the bag-in-box 10. In this manner, the clip handle 12 may be secured to the neck 18 as shown in FIG. 3 such that the opening 46 is on the same side of the box 14 as the level indicator 48.

Reference is made to FIG. 4, which shows an alternate embodiment of the clip handle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The clip handle 13 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a flat plate portion 37 having a planar top surface 35. Extending from the planar top surface 35 may be one or more clip ears 39. The clip ears 39 may be similar in size and shape to the ears 26 that are part of the box 14 shown in FIG. 1. The clip ears 39 may define clip finger holes 41. The clip finger holes 41 may function similarly to the finger holes 28 of the box ears 26 in that they may be sized to receive a fingertip of a user. The user may insert his or her fingertip into one or both of the clip finger holes 41. In carrying the bag-in-box container 10 by the clip finger holes 41, the weight of the container 10 is supported by the neck flanges 22 as described with respect to the clip handle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3. In addition, the finger holes 41 formed in the rigid clip ears 39 may serve to be received by a corresponding guide in a spray tanning machine.

The clip handle 13 shown in FIG. 4 includes a neck receiving slot 30 that includes features similar in form and function to the neck receiving slot 30 of the embodiment of the clip handle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The clip handle 13 also includes a clip flange 43. The clip flange 43 may extend downward from a bottom surface of the plate portion 37. The junction between the clip flange 43 and the plate portion 37 may correspond to a rear edge 45 of the box 14. Thus, when the clip handle 13 is assembled to the neck 18, the rear edge 45 may be protected by the clip flange 43 from becoming damaged during handling or transport. The clip flange 43 also serves to structurally reinforce the box 14 by extending over the rear edge 45.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which shows an alternate embodiment of a clip handle for a bag-in-box container system 10 according to the present disclosure. The clip handle shown in FIG. 5 is comprised of two components, a clip 52 and a handle 54. The handle 54 may include the hand receiving opening 46 and the finger receptacles 44 similar to the clip handle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, the neck receiving slot 30 and associated features for clipping to the neck 18, such as tabs 34 and neck engaging surface 32 may be formed in a separate clip 52. Thus, in assembly a handle slot 56 of the handle 54 may fit relatively loosely around the neck 18. Once the handle 54 is in place with the handle slot 56 surrounding the neck 18, then the clip 52 may be secured over the handle 54 and secured securely to the neck 18. In particular, the neck receiving slot 30 of the clip 52 may be received by the contact surface 24 between upper and lower flanges 22 of the neck. The clip 52 fits over the planar top surface 35 of the handle 54 and secures the handle 54 between the clip 52 and the wall 20 of the box 14. The handle 54 and the clip 52 when assembled to the box 14 provide the advantages with regard to weight and force distribution that was disclosed with respect to clip handle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, which shows an alternate embodiment of a reinforcing clip handle assembly. The clip handle assembly includes the clip handle 12 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-3 and a reinforcing plate 58. The reinforcing plate 58 may define a hole 60. The hole may be sized to allow the neck to protrude through the hole 60 when the reinforcing plate is placed on the top wall 20 of the box 14. The hole 60 may fit over the flanges such that the reinforcing plate 50 may loosely positioned over the neck 18. To secure the reinforcing plate 58 securely to the box 14, the clip handle 12 is snapped over the neck 18 such that the neck engaging surface 32 of the clip handle 12 contacts the contact surface 24 of the neck between upper and lower flanges 22.

The reinforcing plate 58 may be a generally planar rigid horizontal plate with a rear flange 62 and a front flange 64 extending downward from the plate portion. The rear flange 62 serves to protect the rear edge 45 and add structural integrity to the box 14. The front flange 64 may include a reinforcing plate chamfer 66 and a vertical flange 65. The plate chamfer 66 together with the vertical flange 65 may conform to a contour of the box 14. In this manner, a chamfer wall 49 which defines a front edge 47 and a chamfer wall edge 51 may be protected by the reinforcing plate 58 from damage or deformation. The reinforcing plate 58 may provide additional structural integrity for the box 14, and the clip handle 12 may provide the holding carrying transporting and weight distribution advantages described herein with respect to the clip handle 12 described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

The reinforcing flanges 43, 62, and 64 described herein may extend entirely over a corresponding box edge or surface and be continuous, or in certain embodiments, the flanges may only cover and protect a portion of an associated box edge or surface and may not be continuous. In an alternate embodiment, the reinforcing plate 58 may include ears and ear holes similar to those shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the plate ear holes may provide the holding and carrying features, as opposed to or in addition to the clip handle 12. The holding and carrying features of the clip handle 12 may be eliminated by using a clip similar to that shown in FIG. 5 to secure such a plate to the container 10.

Although preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag-in-box container, comprising: a bag configured to contain a liquid and having a rigid neck; a box enclosing the bag, the neck protruding through the box; and a clip handle coupled to the neck and securing the protrusion of the neck through the box, the clip handle defining a handle portion configured to receive at least a fingertip of a hand.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle defines a slot and further comprising: an upper flange and a lower flange each extending radially from the neck and delimiting a contact surface, the contact surface receiving the slot.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle includes a planar bottom surface contacting an exterior surface of a wall of the box.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle includes an arcuate surface at least partially defining a slot, a pair of tabs delimiting the arcuate surface, the arcuate surface and the tabs contacting a corresponding contact surface of the neck to secure the clip handle to the neck.
 5. The container of claim 1 further comprising a cavity on an underside of the clip handle, the cavity defining the handle portion.
 6. The container of claim 5 wherein the cavity defines a pair of finger receiving portions.
 7. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle includes a plate portion and at least one ear extending from the plate portion, the ear defining a fingertip receiving hole.
 8. The container of claim 7 wherein a flange extends downward from the plate portion and at least partially covers an edge of the box.
 9. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle comprises a clip member separate from the handle portion.
 10. The container of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate includes at least one flange extending downward from the reinforcing plate and at least partially covering a first edge of the box, the reinforcing plate defining a through hole, the neck protruding through the through hole in the reinforcing plate.
 11. The container of claim 10 wherein the reinforcing plate includes a second downward extending flange at least partially covering a second edge of the box opposite the first edge.
 12. The container of claim 1 wherein the clip handle is rigid and formed of a polymer material.
 13. The container of claim 1 wherein the bag contains a liquid used in spray tanning.
 14. The container of claim 1 further comprising a valve coupled to the neck and being configured to be received by a spray tanning machine, the spray tanning machine operable to open the valve and extract the liquid from the bag.
 15. A clip handle for a bag-in-box container, comprising: a planar surface on an underside of the clip handle, the planar surface configured to contact an exterior surface of a box and defining a slot configured to receive a neck of a bag protruding through the box; and a handle portion formed in the clip handle.
 16. The clip handle of claim 15, further comprising: an arcuate surface at least partially defining a slot; a pair of tabs delimiting the arcuate surface; and wherein the arcuate surface and the tabs are configured to contact a corresponding contact surface of the neck to secure the clip handle to the neck.
 17. The clip handle of claim 15, further comprising a cavity disposed on the underside of the clip handle, the cavity defining the handle portion.
 18. The clip handle of claim 17 wherein the cavity defines a pair of finger receiving portions.
 19. The clip handle of claim 15 further comprising: a plate portion; and at least one ear extending from the plate portion, the ear defining a fingertip receiving hole.
 20. The clip handle of claim 19 further comprising a flange extending downward from the plate portion and configured to at least partially cover an edge of the box.
 21. The clip handle of claim 15 comprising a clip member separate from the handle portion.
 22. The clip handle of claim 15 wherein the clip handle is rigid and formed of a polymer material.
 23. A bag-in-box container, comprising: a bag configured to contain a liquid and having a rigid neck; a box enclosing the bag, the neck protruding through a hole in the box; and a clip handle, comprising: a slot coupled to the neck, the clip handle securing the protrusion of the neck through the hole in the box; a planar surface on an underside of the clip handle, the planar surface contacting an exterior surface of a box; and a handle portion formed in the clip handle.
 24. The container of claim 23, further comprising: a first flange radially extending from the neck; a second flange disposed below the first flange and radially extending from the neck, the slot contacting a surface of the neck disposed between the first and second flanges.
 25. The container of claim 23 wherein: the clip handle includes a plate portion having at least one ear extending therefrom, the ear defining a fingertip receiving hole; and a flange extending downward from the plate portion and at least partially covering an edge of the box.
 26. The container of claim 23 wherein the clip handle comprises a clip member separate from the handle portion.
 27. The container of claim 23 further comprising: a reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate including at least one flange extending downward from the reinforcing plate and at least partially covering a first edge of the box, the reinforcing plate defining a through hole, the neck protruding through the through hole in the reinforcing plate.
 28. The container of claim 27 wherein the reinforcing plate includes a second downward extending flange at least partially covering a second edge of the box opposite the first edge.
 29. The container of claim 23 wherein the bag contains a liquid used in spray system and further comprising a valve coupled to the neck and being configured to be received by a spray tanning machine, the spray tanning machine operable to open the valve and extract the liquid from the bag. 